9 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin

Turmeric and curcumin, like various spices, have a vast history of usage in herbal medicine. Besides offering curry its vivid yellow color, turmeric is well-known for its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This flavorful spice is grown mainly from the roots of a flowering plant that is grown in India and other regions of Southeast Asia. 

Curcumin, which provides turmeric its distinctive yellow color, is the primary active ingredient in the spice. The majority of turmeric's potential health advantages can be attributed to curcumin.

Regrettably, turmeric and curcumin don't readily enter the human system, so eating curry with it only once a month is difficult to provide you with the required antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

You'll need to take medications to get the levels of turmeric and curcumin that research studies have found to be beneficial. But it's crucial to remember that the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements, and neither has a safe or suggested daily dose of curcumin or turmeric.

However, if you take a turmeric supplement that contains black pepper, you could get even more advantages from using it. Here, we list the several possible advantages of turmeric and curcumin.

1. Protection Against Heart Diseases

According to a previous study, curcumin can enhance endothelial function or the condition of the thin membrane that lines the interior of the blood and heart arteries. This layer is essential for controlling blood pressure.   Aging and a higher risk of heart disease are linked to decreased endothelial function. Consequently, curcumin may assist in preventing age-related function loss and lower your risk of acquiring heart disease.

2. Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent

One of the key benefits of turmeric is that it is frequently used to reduce inflammation, and curcumin is primarily responsible for this property. Based on a previous study, curcumin may even be more potent at the proper dosage than Advil (ibuprofen) and aspirin, frequently used to treat inflammation. Additionally, more study is required in this area.

Based on a previous review, curcumin may aid in treating disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and arthritis since the inflammatory process is a factor in several chronic diseases.

3. Helps Fight Against Diabetes

Certainly, curcumin may help prevent diabetes and related conditions like diabetic nephropathy, known as diabetic kidney disease, affecting patients with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This is based on a previous review of studies. One negative aspect is that many experiments were conducted on animals rather than people.

However, curcumin can lessen several risk factors for diabetes, such as insulin sensitivity, high blood sugar, and hyperlipidemia, thanks to its anti- antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics, a medical term to explain increased cholesterol levels in the blood. More human research is yet needed to confirm this.

4. Helps Ease Osteoarthritis

Curcumin is a secure and efficient long-term treatment option for osteoarthritis due to its strong anti-inflammatory characteristics. The authors of a recent study of the clinical usage of curcumin for osteoarthritis treatment reached that conclusion, at least.

In the meantime, a current clinical investigation investigated curcumin supplementation's possible impacts on people with knee osteoarthritis.

5. Helps Fight Alzheimer's Disease

Even against common degenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, turmeric may offer some protection for the brain. How? By raising the amount of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein in the brain and spinal cord and important for maintaining the health of nerve cells (neurons) and regulating communication between them, both of which are essential for learning and memory.

Because prevalent brain illnesses like Alzheimer's are linked to decreasing levels of BDNF, turmeric (specifically curcumin) may help prevent or slow down brain aging.

6. Supports Skin Health

Turmeric is a helpful for several skin illnesses, including eczema, acne, photoaging, and psoriasis, because of its anti-inflammatory agents, antibacterial properties, and antioxidant qualities. Strong research is still necessary and needs to be improved for now.

Curcumin treatments are effectively helpful in curing skin issues; according to some authors of one analysis, prior research indicates curcumin is safe overall when consumed in large doses. However, curcumin is not a very attractive skin therapy due to its bright yellow-orange color, less solubility, and less stability at a high pH.

7. Helps Support Against Depression

Depression is linked to reduced levels of BDNF, just like Alzheimer's. Turmeric has the potential to be an efficient antidepressant since it can raise BDNF levels. While this was happening, 60 patients with major depressive disorder were randomly allocated to one of three groups in a human investigation published in Phytotherapy Research.

8. Supports Anti Aging Effects

The potential of turmeric and curcumin to combat inflammation, shield your body from free radicals, and possibly postpone brain deterioration and other age-related disorders makes them prospective anti-aging remedies, even if there is no proof that they directly affect longevity.

Although certain unfavorable side effects (diarrhea, headaches, and rashes) have been recorded at doses ranging from 500 to 12,000 mg, studies also indicate that turmeric and curcumin are generally safe.

9. Supports Prevention of Eye Degeneration

One of the main causes of blindness in persons over 60 is a series of eye disorders known as glaucoma. Sadly, once your vision is lost, you cannot regain it.

However, preliminary evidence suggests topical curcumin therapies may aid in preventing macular degeneration. This research was published in Scientific Reports in July 2018. The study's findings are intriguing, but additional research is required to understand whether curcumin may stop human eye degeneration.

Conclusion

Turmeric and curcumin act and helps in many health issues and bodily illnesses. However, one should study and determine the proper usage and consumption one needs for its benefits to perform.

If you want more information regarding turmeric and curcumin and their benefits, you can also visit our site mefirstliving.com, to learn about all the additional benefits of these amazing herbs.

Sources:

https://www.goodhealth.co.nz/health-articles/article/10-proven-health-benefits-of-turmeric-and-curcumin

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/scientific-health-benefits-turmeric-curcumin/

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